Pets on jets: Tips to reduce anxiety

There's a lot to learn before you take to the skies

Aug. 17, 2007

Flying high: Pablo, a Chihuahua-Terrier, waits in his pet carrier at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Last year, about 29 million Americans took at least one overnight trip with their pets. Three years earlier, half as many pets traveled, reports the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. / N. SCOTT TRIMBLE/Gannett News Service

Written by

Sonja Haller

Gannett News Service

Flying with Fido? Check with the airline first

Different airlines have different rules when it comes to traveling with pets. Before you purchase tickets, call the airline to find out their policy. You'll want to ask if household pets or service animals are allowed in the cabins, how much it costs each way to transport a pet, and what size pet carriers are allowed.

American Airlines

 Info: (800) 227-4622 or online at www.aacargo.com American's Web site suggests travelers make reservations by phone for detailed information on transporting household pets. But the site does provide information on the transporting of birds, primates, lizards, venomous snakes and ferrets.

Continental Airlines

 Info: (800) 575-3335 or online at www.continental.com Pets are allowed in the cabins but you'll need to call the airline to coordinate pet travel reservations. The fee for a small cat, dog, rabbit or bird is $95 each way, however, bigger pets can cost $119 to $189. Pets are also allowed to travel as cargo. Cabin pet-carrier-size regulations: All carriers must be no bigger than 22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches tall.

Delta Air Lines

 Info: (800) 221-1212 or online at www.delta.com Delta's Web site says travelers can pay $50 each way to transport pets. And dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs that are at least 8 weeks old are allowed in the cabin. Other animals are not. Animals must fit in a carrier that can go under seats. Call reservations for proper dimensions and other restrictions.

Northwest Airlines

 Info: (800) 225-2525 or online at www.nwa.com/travel/animals Northwest is the only airline with complete pet travel information on its Web site. There, you can find fees, information about service animals, kennel requirements, state and international requirements, limitations, restrictions, tips and a checklist.

Southwest Airlines

 Info: (800) 435-9792 or online at www.southwest.com This airline only allows pets trained to assist passengers with disabilities.

United Airlines

 Info: (800) 864-8331 or pets traveling in the cabin; (800) UA-CARGO for pets traveling as cargo; or www.unitedcargo.com, search pet travel United will transport pets at least 8 weeks old as cargo or checked baggage, but it depends on the breed and the time of year you travel. Contact the airline for additional information. Note: The airline's site says there's no guarantee your pet will be allowed to travel on board with you - or even as cargo on your same flight.

US Airways

 (800) 428-4322 or online at www.usairways.com, click on Travel Tools, then Pets Pets are allowed in the cabin and there is a fee - $80 each way - for a small domestic dog, cat or bird per passenger. Pets aren't allowed in cargo holds, particularly in cities where it gets really hot (like Las Vegas or Phoenix). Dimensions for cabin pet-carrier-size regulations: Hard-sided carriers up to 17 inches long by 16 inches wide by 8 inches tall and soft-sided carriers up to 17 inches long by 16 inches wide by 10 inches tall on all flights.

On the Web

 www.hsus.org, Humane Society of the United States, offers advice on travel with pets by any means of transportation.

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Cats and dogs are flying more than ever.

Last year, about 29 million Americans took at least one overnight trip with their pets. Three years earlier, half as many pets traveled, reports the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

But air travel with pets can be confusing.

Some airlines permit pets in the cabin, but not in the cargo hold or vice versa. Some charge to bring pets in the cabin, some don't. Some airlines restrict the size and breed of an animal they allow on board.

Which leads to tip No. 1, from Kim Noetzel, spokeswoman for the Arizona Humane Society: "Don't fly without checking the airline's policies."

The second-most-important suggestion is to ensure your pet's carrier fits dimension specifications of the airline.

Here are some additional suggestions:

 Update pet immunizations and get a certificate of your pet's health within two weeks of traveling. (Check with individual airlines for how recent the certificate needs to be.) The airlines ask you to show the certificate, says Barbara MacPherson of Scottsdale, Ariz. She has flown with Puffy, her longhaired yellow cat, more than a dozen times.

 Be prepared to leave the pet in the carrier and to take the pet out. You should carry a leash, but don't plan on walking the pet inside the airport on one. Tina Eacret of Gilbert, Ariz., learned that while traveling with her Chihuahua, Lily. Lily has been allowed to stay in her carrier while going through security as a piece of carry-on luggage, but other security officials have demanded pets be removed from their carriers and walked through the metal detector with their owners.

 Start preparing your pet a few days before the trip. It eases their anxiety, says Joyce Martin of St. Louis, who flies to Phoenix yearly with Cheew-ee, her Yorkie mix. She brings out the pet carrier early so Cheewee becomes reacquainted with it. On the day of the flight, she limits food but offers water, and Cheewee takes a long walk.

 Don't try to tranquilize your pet. Check with your veterinarian. "Never try to self- prescribe," says Kim Noetzel, Arizona Humane Society spokeswoman. "We would never recommend people tranquilize the animal simply for their own comfort; that's not fair to the animal." Keep in mind some airlines, such as Continental, will not accept tranquilized animals in the cargo area.

 Animals are not to be put through luggage X-ray machines.

 Make sure the carrier, whether an animal is flying cargo or in the cabin, displays the owner's contact information, including a phone number.

 Pack a three-day supply of the animal's regular food when traveling in case of unforeseen travel delays. Do not change a pet's diet when traveling. "You could have a gastric nightmare," Noetzel says.

 Pack wet wipes - the kind used for children - in carry-on luggage so if the pet messes in the carrier it can be cleaned up. Also, bring a plastic bag in which to place the wet wipes when finished.

 Owners should pack a T-shirt, pillowcase or something else that smells like them in the pet's carrier.

 Flights are dehydrating. Be prepared to give the pet water upon arrival.

 Reinforce the positive. If a pet is behaving well in the carrier, praise him and offer treats.

 Act naturally. Pets can pick up on their owner's anxiety, so remain calm when flying.